3/16/2015

HowToAceThe50MostCommonInterviewQuestions

(/)

JacquelynSmith(http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/)ForbesStaff

Ifithastodowithleadership,jobs,orcareers,I'monit.

LEADERSHIP(/LEADERSHIP)

1/11/2013@2:03PM 4,099,721views

HowToAceThe50Most
CommonInterviewQuestions
CommentNow

FollowComments

HowtoPrepareforCommonInterview
Questions
1of11

(http://www.forbes.com/pictures/efkk45eedff/do
your
homework/)

HowtoPrepareforCommonInterview
Questions

Irecentlylaidouttheyearsmostoddballinterviewquestions
(http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/01/11/themostoddball
interviewquestionsoftheyear/).TheGlassdoor
(The%20Questions%20You%20Should%20and%20Shouldn%27t%20Ask%20In%20A%20Job%20Interview)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/01/11/howtoacethe50mostcommoninterviewquestions/

1/14

3/16/2015

HowToAceThe50MostCommonInterviewQuestions

listincludedqueriesfromcompanieslikeGoogle(/companies/google/)
GOOG1.44%(/companies/google/) ,Bain&Co.,andAmazon,whicharenotoriousfor
theirperplexingandunusualjobinterviewquestions.
In2012,thesearchgiantaskedacandidate,HowmanycowsareinCanada?
whileBainchallengedanintervieweetoestimatethenumberofwindowsin
NewYork.Amazonaskedacandidate,IfJeffBezos
(http://www.forbes.com/profile/jeffbezos/)walkedintoyourofficeand
offeredyouamilliondollarstolaunchyourbestentrepreneurialidea,what
woulditbe?
Themoralofthestorywasthatjobseekersneedtoanticipateless
conventionalinterviewquestions,andthattheyshouldthinkofoddball
queriesasanopportunitytodemonstratetheirthoughtprocess,to
communicatetheirvaluesandcharacter,andtoshowtheprospective
employerhowtheyperformunderpressure.

WinAtWork:AneBookFromForbes(http://www.amazon.com/WinAt
WorkGreatHandleebook/dp/B00TLEMHNY/?
utm_source=article&utm_medium=direct&utm_campaign=winworkebook)
Landagreatjob,handleyourbossandgetaheadtoday.(http://www.amazon.com/WinAtWorkGreat
Handleebook/dp/B00TLEMHNY/?
utm_source=article&utm_medium=direct&utm_campaign=winworkebook)

Butasitturnsout,mostcompanieswillaskmorecommoninterview
questionslikeWhatareyourstrengths?andWhatareyourweaknesses?
anditsimportantthatyoupreparewellforthose,too.
Glassdoorsiftedthroughtensofthousandsofinterviewreviewstofindthe50
mostcommonquestions.
The50MostCommonInterviewQuestions:
1. Whatareyourstrengths?
2. Whatareyourweaknesses?
3. Whyareyouinterestedinworkingfor[insertcompanynamehere]?
4. Wheredoyouseeyourselfin5years?10years?
5. Whydoyouwanttoleaveyourcurrentcompany?
6. Whywasthereagapinyouremploymentbetween[insertdate]and[insertdate]?
7. Whatcanyouofferusthatsomeoneelsecannot?
8. Whatarethreethingsyourformermanagerwouldlikeyoutoimproveon?
9. Areyouwillingtorelocate?
10. Areyouwillingtotravel?

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/01/11/howtoacethe50mostcommoninterviewquestions/

2/14

3/16/2015

HowToAceThe50MostCommonInterviewQuestions

11. Tellmeaboutanaccomplishmentyouaremostproudof.
12. Tellmeaboutatimeyoumadeamistake.
13. Whatisyourdreamjob?
14. Howdidyouhearaboutthisposition?
15. Whatwouldyoulooktoaccomplishinthefirst30days/60days/90daysonthejob?
16. Discussyourresume.
17. Discussyoureducationalbackground.
18. Describeyourself.
19. Tellmehowyouhandledadifficultsituation.
20. Whyshouldwehireyou?
21. Whyareyoulookingforanewjob?
22. Wouldyouworkholidays/weekends?
23. Howwouldyoudealwithanangryoriratecustomer?
24. Whatareyoursalaryrequirements?
25. Giveatimewhenyouwentaboveandbeyondtherequirementsforaproject.
26. Whoareourcompetitors?
27. Whatwasyourbiggestfailure?
28. Whatmotivatesyou?
29. Whatsyouravailability?
30. Whosyourmentor?
31. Tellmeaboutatimewhenyoudisagreedwithyourboss.
32. Howdoyouhandlepressure?
33. WhatisthenameofourCEO?
34. Whatareyourcareergoals?
35. Whatgetsyouupinthemorning?
36. Whatwouldyourdirectreportssayaboutyou?
37. Whatwereyourbossesstrengths/weaknesses?
38. IfIcalledyourbossrightnowandaskedhimwhatisanareathatyoucouldimprove
on,whatwouldhesay?
39. Areyoualeaderorafollower?
40. Whatwasthelastbookyouvereadforfun?
41. Whatareyourcoworkerpetpeeves?
42. Whatareyourhobbies?

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/01/11/howtoacethe50mostcommoninterviewquestions/

3/14

3/16/2015

HowToAceThe50MostCommonInterviewQuestions

43. Whatisyourfavoritewebsite?
44. Whatmakesyouuncomfortable?
45. Whataresomeofyourleadershipexperiences?
46. Howwouldyoufiresomeone?
47. Whatdoyoulikethemostandleastaboutworkinginthisindustry?
48. Wouldyouwork40+hoursaweek?
49. WhatquestionshaventIaskedyou?
50. Whatquestionsdoyouhaveforme?

WATCH:TheTheoryBehindJohnPaulDeJoriasHiringPractices

InPictures:HowtoPrepareforCommonInterviewQuestions
(http://www.forbes.com/pictures/efkk45eedff/doyourhomework/)
Howtoprepareforcommonjobinterviewquestions:
Doyourhomework.Oneofthebiggestcomplaintsofhiringmanagersis
thatmanyjobinterviewcandidatesknowverylittleaboutthecompanytheyre
interviewingfor,saysAndyTeach(http://andyteach.com/),authorofFrom
GraduationtoCorporation:ThePracticalGuidetoClimbingtheCorporate
LadderOneRungataTime(http://www.amazon.com/FromGraduation
CorporationPracticalCorporate/dp/1438930631),andhostoftheYouTube
channelFromGradToCorp
(http://www.youtube.com/user/FromGradToCorp).Googlethecompany
youreinterviewingwithandreadsomeofthearticlesthatpopupstudythe
companyswebsiteknowthecompanysmission,itsproductsandservices,its
locations,andwhotheirtopexecutivesare.GotothePublicRelationstab
ontheirwebsiteandprintoutsomeoftheirlatestpressreleases.Studythem
sothatyoucantalkintheinterviewaboutwhatsgoingonwiththecompany
now,hesays.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/01/11/howtoacethe50mostcommoninterviewquestions/

4/14

3/16/2015

HowToAceThe50MostCommonInterviewQuestions

Preparealistoflikelyquestions.ShwetaKhare,acareerandjobsearch
expert(http://careerbright.com/)saysgettingalistofcommonquestionsfor
aninterviewiseasierthaneverbefore.Youcanneverunderestimate
theimportanceofpreparation.Itsthefirststepandthemostimportant,she
says.
Identifywhattheorganizationwantsandneeds.Whilethefocusof
Whyshouldwehireyou?(andothersimilarinterviewquestions)isonyou,
theinterviewee,itsimportanttoremembertheanswerisntallaboutyou,
saysMiriamSalpeter,jobsearchcoach,ownerofKeppieCareers
(http://www.keppiecareers.com/)andauthorofSocialNetworkingfor
CareerSuccess(http://www.amazon.com/SocialNetworkingCareer
SuccessPersonal/dp/1576857824)and100ConversationsforCareerSuccess
(http://www.amazon.com/dp/1576859053).

TheForbeseBook:FindAndKeepYourDreamJob
(http://www.amazon.com/DreamDefinitiveCareersGuideForbes
ebook/dp/B00IY4KTGE/?
utm_source=articlelink&utm_medium=direct&utm_campaign=careerebook)
TheDefinitiveCareersGuideFromForbesencompasseseveryaspectofthejobhunt,frominterviewto
promotion.Discoverhowtogetaheadtoday.(http://www.amazon.com/DreamDefinitiveCareersGuide
Forbesebook/dp/B00IY4KTGE/?utm_source=articlelink&utm_medium=direct&utm_campaign=careerebook)

Themostsuccessfulinterviewresponsesfocusonthehiringmanagersneeds.
Framingrepliesthatdemonstrateyouunderstandtheirproblems,orpain
points,makesabigdifferencewhencompetingwithmanyotherqualified
candidates.
Preparebyidentifyingtheskillsemployersarelookingfor.Usetheirindepth
jobdescriptions,viewvideostheemployerspostabouttheirorganization,and
visittheirFacebook(/companies/facebook/)pageandTwitterfeeds,she
suggests.
Googleyourself.Findoutwhatthecompanyknowsaboutyou,Teachadds.
Seewhattheysee.Iftheresanythingnegativeaboutyou,havearesponse
readyastowhyitsnegativebutdontgettoodefensive.Respondandthen
moveon.
Interviewyourselffortheposition.Beforeeveryinterview,askyourself:
WhyamIagoodfitforthisjob?
Itellmyclientstopostthequestion,Whyshouldwehireyou?ontheir
bathroommirror,refrigeratororanyplacetheywillseeitduringtheday,
Salpetersays.Iinstructthemtoanswer,outloud,keepingdifferent
companiesinmindeachtime.Rehearsingthiswaywillhelpyouhoneinon
whatyouhavetooffer.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/01/11/howtoacethe50mostcommoninterviewquestions/

5/14

3/16/2015

HowToAceThe50MostCommonInterviewQuestions

Identifywhatisuniqueorspecialaboutyou.Howhaveyougoneaboveand
beyondthecallofduty?Whatdidyouaccomplishthatnooneelsemanagedto
do?Didyouvolunteertotackleaproblemandsolveit?Dontunderestimate
thevalueoflookingatyourself,yourskillsandyouraccomplishmentsand
outliningthekeypointsyouwillwanttosharewithaprospectiveemployer.
Practiceandplan.Roleplayansweringtypicalinterviewquestionswitha
friend,colleague,orcoach,saysAnitaAttridge
(http://www.anitaattridge.com/),aFiveOClockClubcareerandexecutive
coach.Bepreparedforthetypicalinterviewquestionsbythinkingaboutwhat
yourresponsewouldbetothembeforetheinterview,sheadds.
Ifyouareacollegestudent,setupanappointmentwithyourcareercenterand
havethemconductamockinterviewwithyou.Evenifyourearecent
graduate,manycollegecareercenterswillconductmockinterviewstohelp
alumni,Techsays.Requestthatyourinterviewisfilmedsothattheycan
critiqueyouandyoucanstudythefilm.Dontworryifyourenervousoryou
screwup.Youremuchbetteroffscrewingupinamockinterviewthaninthe
realthing.
Youdontnecessarilywanttomemorizeresponsesbuttrytohaveageneral
strategyforansweringcommoninterviewquestions.Todaymany
organizationsareusingbehavioralinterviewquestionstobetterunderstand
whatyouhavedone,Attridgesays.Theyusuallybeginwith,Tellmeabouta
timewhenShesuggestsbrieflydescribingwhatthesituationwashowyou
handledthesituationandwhattheresultwas.
Toprepareforthese,youllwanttothinkaboutworkplaceexperiencestories
thatdescribeyouraccomplishmentsorshowhowyoudealtwithatough
situation,Kharesays.Ifyoudonthaveanystoriesthatyoucanrecallnow,set
asideafewhourstothinkandwritedownatleasttwoorthreestories.A
simplequestionlike,Tellmeaboutatimeyoumadeamistake,cantakeyou
offguardanditisnoteasytorecallunrehearsed.Havingarepositoryofwork
experiencestorieswrittendownbeforeaninterviewwillmakeiteasierto
recall.
Reflectonpreviousinterviews.Keepacomputerorpaperrecordofyour
interviews,Teachsays.Keeparecordofthetimeofyourinterviews,howlong
theyare,yourimpressionsofthehiringmanager,andperhapsmost
importantly,whatquestionswereaskedofyou,whatanswersyougave,and
recordanyquestionstheyaskedyouthatyoufeltcouldhavebeenanswered
differently.Studytheseelementsandyourinterviewskillswillimprove,he
says.
Figureouthowtoarticulateyourgoals.Mostofthecommonlyasked
questionsduringanintervieweitherdigintoyourpreviousexperienceorwant
toexploreyourfuturegoals,Kharesays.Prepareandarticulateyourgoals,
andremainhonesthere.Inconsistentanswerswontgetyoutherespectand
credibilitythatisamusttoimpressaninterviewer.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/01/11/howtoacethe50mostcommoninterviewquestions/

6/14

3/16/2015

HowToAceThe50MostCommonInterviewQuestions

Bepositive.Whenpreparingforaninterviewandanticipatinglikely
questions,plantoanswerallquestionspositively.Evenifyouwereinabad
situation,thinkabouthowyoucantalkaboutthesituationpositively,
Attridgesays.Youalwayshaveachoice.Itismuchbettertotalkaboutaglass
beinghalffullthentotalkaboutitbeinghalfempty.Itsallaboutyour
perspective,andinaninterviewbeingpositivecounts.
Neversayanythingnegativeaboutyourprioremployersorbosses,eitherno
matterhowbadthesituationmayhavebeen.Anegativeansweractuallyisa
reflectionaboutyourjudgmentandbusinessacumen,andnotaboutthe
employerormanager.
Getcomfortable.Preparationandpracticeaside,themostimportanttipI
wouldliketosuggesttojobseekersistofeelcomfortablewiththeinterview
process,Kharesays.Youcanreadalltheadviceintheworldaboutacingthe
interview,butnoneofthetacticswillworkoutofyouarenotyourselfduring
theprocess.
Feelingcomfortableandrelaxedpositivelyinfluencesyourconfidence.And
interviewersalwaysappreciatearelaxedandconfidentcandidate,asopposed
toaheavypromoterandedgyone,sheadds.Practicecalmingyournerves,
andfocusonhowyoucanproveyoudbeavaluableassettothecompany.
Howtoanswer7ofthemostcommoninterviewquestions:
Tellmeaboutyourself.Whilethisisntexactlyaquestion,answering
thisthewrongwaycouldreallyhurtyourchancesofgettingajob,Teachsays.
IwasoncetoldbyanHRexecutivethatthiscanactuallybeatrickquestion.
Hiringmanagerscantaskyoucertainquestionslegallybutifyougooffona
tangentwhenanswering,youmaytellthemsomethingsaboutyouthatare
betterleftunsaid.Theworstwaytoapproachthisrequestistotellthemyour
lifestory,whichissomethingtheyredefinitelynotinterestedin.Thebestway
toapproachthisistoonlydiscusswhatyourinterestsarerelatingtothejob
andwhyyourbackgroundmakesyouagreatcandidate.
Whatareyourstrengthsandweaknesses?Itseasytotalkabout
yourstrengthsyouredetailoriented,hardworking,ateamplayer,etc.but
itsalsoeasytogettrippedupwhendiscussingyourweaknesses,Teachsays.
Nevertalkaboutarealweaknessunlessitssomethingyouvedefeated.Many
hiringmanagersarehiptotheoverusedresponses,suchas,Well,mybiggest
weaknessisthatIworktoohardsoIneedtrytotakeiteasyonceinawhile.
Thebestansweristodiscussaweaknessthatyouveturnedaround,suchas,
youusedtocomeinlatetoworkalotbutafteryoursupervisorexplainedwhy
itwasnecessaryforyoutocomeinontime,youwereneverlateagain.
Wheredoyouwanttobefiveyearsfromnow?Whatemployers
arereallyaskingis,Isthisjobevenclosetoyourpresumedcareerpath?Are
youjustapplyingtothisjobbecauseyouneedsomething?Areyourlongterm
careerplanssimilartowhatweseeforthisrole?Howrealisticareyour

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/01/11/howtoacethe50mostcommoninterviewquestions/

7/14

3/16/2015

HowToAceThe50MostCommonInterviewQuestions

expectationsforyourcareer?Haveyoueventhoughtaboutyourcareerlong
term?Areyougoingtoquitafterayearortwo?saysSaraSuttonFell,CEO
andfounderofFlexJobs(http://www.flexjobs.com/).
Showthemthatyouvedonesomeselfassessmentandcareerplanning.Let
themknowthatyouhopetodevelopprofessionallyandtakeonadditional
responsibilitiesatthatparticularcompany.Dontsaysomethingridiculous
like,Idontknow,orIwantyourjob,shesays.
Teachsaysnoonecanpossiblyknowwheretheyllbeintheircareerfiveyears
fromnowbuthiringmanagerswanttogetasenseofyourcommitmenttothe
job,thecompany,andtheindustry.Infact,Iwouldevenmentionthatits
hardforyoutoknowwhatjobtitleyoumayholdfiveyearsfrom
nowbutideally,youdliketohavemoveduptheladderatthiscompanybased
onyourperformance.Yourehopefultobeinsomemanagementpositionand
yourgoalistohelpthecompanyanywayyoucan.Ifyougivetheimpression
thatthisjobisjustasteppingstoneforyou,itsunlikelythehiringmanager
willbeinterestedinyou.
Pleasegivemeanexampleofatimewhenyouhadaproblem
withasupervisor/coworkerandhowyouapproachedthe
problem.Ithinkthatthehardestthingaboutworkisntthework,itsthe
peopleatwork,Teachsays.Mostemployeeshaveaproblemwithasupervisor
orcoworkeratsomepointintheircareer.Howtheyhandlethatproblemsays
alotabouttheirpeopleskills.Ifyoucanexplaintotheinterviewerthatyou
wereabletoovercomeapeopleproblematwork,thiswilldefinitelyhelpyour
chancesofgettingthejob,hesays.
Whatareyoursalaryrequirements?Whatemployersarereally
askingis,Doyouhaverealisticexpectationswhenitcomestosalary?Arewe
onthesamepageorareyougoingtowantwaymorethanwecangive?Are
youflexibleonthispointorisyourexpectationsetinstone?SuttonFellsays.
Trytoavoidansweringthisquestioninthefirstinterviewbecauseyoumay
shortchangeyourselfbydoingso,Teachsays.Tellthehiringmanagerthatif
youareseriouslybeingconsidered,youcouldgivethemasalaryrangebutif
possible,letthemmakethefirstoffer.StudywebsiteslikeSalary.com
andGlassdoor.comtogetanideaofwhatthepositionshouldpay.Dont
necessarilyaccepttheirfirstoffer,headds.Theremayberoomtonegotiate.
Whenitistimetogiveanumber,besuretotakeyourexperienceand
educationlevelsintoconsideration,SuttonFellsays.Also,yourgeographic
region,sincesalaryvariesbylocation.Speakinrangeswhengivingfigures,
andmentionthatyouareflexibleinthisareaandthatyoureopentobenefits,
aswell.Bebriefandtothepoint,andbecomfortablewiththesilencethat
maycomeafter.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/01/11/howtoacethe50mostcommoninterviewquestions/

8/14

3/16/2015

HowToAceThe50MostCommonInterviewQuestions

Whyareyouleavingyourcurrentjob?Hiringmanagerswantto
knowyourmotivationforwantingtoleaveyourcurrentjob.Areyouan
opportunistjustlookingformoremoneyorareyoulookingforajobthatyou
hopewillturnintoacareer?Ifyoureleavingbecauseyoudontlikeyourboss,
donttalknegativelyaboutyourbossjustsayyouhavedifferentwork
philosophies,Teachsays.Iftheworkwasboringtoyou,justmentionthat
yourelookingforamorechallengingposition.Discussthepositivesthat
cameoutofyourmostrecentjobandfocusonwhyyouthinkthisnewposition
isidealforyouandwhyyoullbeagreatfitfortheircompany.
Ifyouvealreadyleftyourpreviousjob(oryouwerefired),SuttonFellsuggests
thefollowing:
Ifyougotfired:Donottrashyourlastbossorcompany.Tellthemthatyouwere
unfortunatelyletgo,thatyouunderstandtheirreasoningandyouverecognized
areasthatyouneedtoimprovein,andthentellthemhowyouwillbeabetter
employeebecauseofit.
Ifyougotlaidoff:Again,donottrashyourlastbossorcompany.Tellthemthat
youwereletgo,andthatyouunderstandthecircumstancesbehindtheirdecision
thatyouarecommittedtoyourfutureandnotdwellingonthepastandthatyouare
readytoapplyeverythingthatyoulearnedinyourlastroletoanewcompany.
Ifyouquit:Donotgointodetailsaboutyourunhappinessordissatisfaction.
Instead,tellthemthatwhileyouvaluedtheexperienceandeducationthatyou
received,youfeltthatthetimehadcometoseekoutanewopportunity,toexpand
yourskillsandknowledge,andtofindacompanywithwhichyoucouldgrow.

WhyshouldIhireyou?Ahiringmanagermaynotaskyouthisquestion
directlybuteveryquestionyouanswerintheinterviewshouldcontributeto
helpingthemunderstandwhyyourethebestpersonforthejob.Stayfocused
onwhyyourbackgroundmakesyouanidealcandidateandtellthemhowyou
aregoingtocontributetothatdepartmentandthatcompany,Teachsays.
Lettheinterviewerknowthatoneofyourgoalsistomaketheirjobeasierby
takingonasmuchresponsibilityaspossibleandthatyouwillbeexcitedabout
thisjobstartingondayone.
Salpetersuggestsyouprintandhighlightthejobdescription,lookingforthe
topthreeorfourmostimportantdetails.Dotheyincludetermssuchas,
crossfunctionalteam,teamwork,andteamplayerseveraltimes?Ifso,
youranswerto,Whyshouldwehireyou?(askeddirectlyorasanunderlying
question)shouldmentionandfocusonyourabilitiesastheyrelatetoteams.

InPictures:HowtoPrepareforCommonInterviewQuestions
(http://www.forbes.com/pictures/efkk45eedff/doyourhomework/)

FollowmeonTwitter(https://twitter.com/JacquelynVSmith),
Forbes(http://blogs.forbes.com/jacquelynsmith/),andGoogle+
(https://plus.google.com/100122307815645990429/posts).

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/01/11/howtoacethe50mostcommoninterviewquestions/

9/14

3/16/2015

HowToAceThe50MostCommonInterviewQuestions

35comments,11calledout

CommentNow

FollowComments

JenniferEum(http://www.forbes.com/sites/jennifereum/)ForbesStaff

Ieditebooksandwriteaboutfunnybusinessintelevisionandfilm.

MEDIA&ENTERTAINMENT(/MEDIAENTERTAINMENT)

3/12/2014@4:00PM 140,599views

WorriedYou'reInADeadEnd
Job?Here'sHowYouCanFind
YourDreamCareer
CommentNow

EDITORSNOTE:Forbeslaunchedanebookonfindingyourdreamjob
(http://www.forbes.com/ebooks/findandkeepyourdreamjobthe
definitivecareersguidefromforbes/)today.Inityoullfindeverythingyou
needtosucceedinyourjobsearch.Someofourbestcareers
(http://www.forbes.com/careers/)writerspennedtheoriginalarticlesused
inthiscompendium.Evenifyoulikethejobyoucurrentlyhave,thisjobguide
offerstipsandtricksforbecominganindispensibleworkerandmakingthe
mostofyourcareer.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/01/11/howtoacethe50mostcommoninterviewquestions/

10/14

3/16/2015

HowToAceThe50MostCommonInterviewQuestions

Inlifeweretaughttoplanfortheworst,tobeprudentandhedgeourbets.
Weretold,Berealistic!Keepyourdreamsincheck.Forthemostpartthat
adviceissound.
However,thesewordsofwisdommaybekeepingusfrompursuingour
dreams,particularlyinthejobsearcharena.Inmanyways,findingajobisa
jobinandofitselfitstimeconsuming,stressfulandcontingenton
demonstratingyourskillsandmettletoothers.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/01/11/howtoacethe50mostcommoninterviewquestions/

11/14

3/16/2015

HowToAceThe50MostCommonInterviewQuestions

Yourdreamjob,unfortunately,wontfallintoyourlapoutoftheblueoneday.
Thathappens,butitssorarethatnobodyshouldeverbetonthatboon
befallinghim.No,findingajobfirstinvolvesassessingyourcurrentstation.
Doyoulikeyourjobrightnow?Isthereroomforgrowth?Doesitcapitalizeon
theskillsyourebestat?
Ifyourjobdoesntpassmusteronthesefronts,dontjustsendoutyour
resumeenmasse.Whatworksbestinanymarketisforthejobseekertotake
apure,entrepreneurialapproachtotheirjobsearchprocess,executive
resumewriterMaryElizabethBradfordsays.GoaroundH.R.Thats
provocative,right?Well,itworks.
Thereisarightwayandawrongwaytogetagreatjob,andmany,intheir
eagernesstofindnewwork,failtorealizethattheshinynewthingmaynot
alwaysbebetter.Besttoresearchthecompaniesyouwanttoworkfor,smartly
targetthepeoplewhocanopendoorsthereandarmyourselfwithaflawless
jobapplication.

TheForbesEbook:FindAndKeepYourDreamJob
(http://www.forbes.com/ebooks/findandkeepyourdreamjobthe
definitivecareersguidefromforbes/?
utm_source=articlelink&utm_medium=direct&utm_campaign=careerebook)
TheDefinitiveCareersGuideFromForbesencompasseseveryaspectofthejobhuntfrominterviewto
promotion.WrittenbysomeofForbesbestcareersandleadershipwriters,itisavailablenowfordownload.
(http://www.forbes.com/ebooks/findandkeepyourdreamjobthedefinitivecareersguidefromforbes/?
utm_source=articlelink&utm_medium=direct&utm_campaign=careerebook)

FindAndKeepYourDreamJob(http://www.forbes.com/ebooks/findand
keepyourdreamjob/),TheDefinitiveCareersGuideFromForbesisa
blueprintfordoingjustthatduringoneofthehardestperiodstofindajobin
recenthistory.Despitetheeconomicheadwinds,therearebattletested,
effectivewaystosecuregoodjobleads(andno,theydontinvolveresume
blastsorjobsites),andourbestcareersandleadershipwritershavecollected
thissageadvicehere.Infact,theyweresogoodatsynthesizingtheinsand
outsofsmartjobhuntingthattheyhaveeachscorednewjobsinthelastyear.
Evenifyoudontthinkyouneedanewjob,anyoneintheworkplacecan
benefitfromthesectionsthatidentifyyourskillsetandstrengths,alongwith
thesectionssuggestingtipstobecomingabetterworker,likethisinfographic
onhowyourbossisjudgingyourappearance.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/01/11/howtoacethe50mostcommoninterviewquestions/

12/14

3/16/2015

HowToAceThe50MostCommonInterviewQuestions

ClickToEnlarge

Oneofthescariestandmostexcitingthingsabouthavingadreamjobisthat
thechancestolearnandimproveneverend.Thisguidewillhelpyoudothat
andmore.

9comments,1calledout

CommentNow

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/01/11/howtoacethe50mostcommoninterviewquestions/

13/14

3/16/2015

HowToAceThe50MostCommonInterviewQuestions

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/01/11/howtoacethe50mostcommoninterviewquestions/

14/14